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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 12:22:41
My doctor is getting ready to take me off of Serzone (in about 1 month). He is concerned about all the black label warnings and of course the lawsuits. Unfortunately for me, Serzone is the only med that has actually worked for me with no side effects (except a little dry mouth).
Does anyone know of a medication that acts in much the same way as Serzone? I have tried in the past: Effexor, Wellbutrin, Luvox and some others that I can't remember. All gave me horrendous side effects and I felt spacey. Serzone is the closest thing to perfect, I have every experienced. I am afraid that I will go back into a major depression if I don't find a substitute. I have been reading up on Cymbalta and Trazadone - anyone with any experience or anyone who had to switch from Serzone to something else? I would greatly appreciate any input....
Thanks!
Posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 12:35:40
In reply to Serzone Replacement, posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 12:22:41
I don't know the details of serzone, liver issurs right? However, right now if something was working for me I am not so sure I would go off it. That being said can you tell me if it helps with sleep and anxiety issues?
Actually, at my next appointment I was going to inquire about serzone as I am not too sure I can handle ssri's or not. If you watch the liver issues and take blood tests I thought it was something that can be caught before any damage?
regards
johnnyj
Posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 13:34:44
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement » kmwhitt, posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 12:35:40
Hi John:
Yes, liver issues even though I don't have any. To stay on this medication, he wants a monthly liver count. Do you have any idea how much that costs - even with insurance?
Serzone is fantastic in my book. It is the only thing that has ever worked for me and it worked immediately!!! I did NOT have to wait 2 weeks or longer(just after the first dose). It seems to work well on serotonin and dopamine and it definitely has anti-anxiety properties as I am a whole different person when taking it. I have energy, will power (lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks by being able to stay away from sweets), I feel social again and actually enjoy talking to people, I look forward to the future and much, much more. Things also don't bother me like they used to - I can shrug it all off which is amazing for me.
Hope this helps!
Posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 13:36:21
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 13:34:44
Ohhh, and NO sexual side effects at all. I just have some dry mouth issues, but more water is good for you anyway......
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 15:01:53
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement » kmwhitt, posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 12:35:40
Johnny see my thread below exactly what my new pdoc said although he's not convinced I need an ad but it's the one he would choose with liver enzyme tests. Love Phillipa. Oh that's because it is such a sleepy med and helps with anxiety and sleep. I know it helps sleep took it once and slept all day.
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 15:03:48
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 13:34:44
I know with my medicaire hardly costs a cent for the labs. Love Phillipa
Posted by johnnyj on March 6, 2007, at 15:38:46
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 13:34:44
Hi,
I am not sure how much test would be with insurance but for me, even if it was 50 bucks a months, I would go for it. If I was stable I would just work a little more to make the cash. We all have to weigh the pros and cons I guess.
Have you thought of a second opinion? Call your insurance and ask how much blood work each month will cost. It is worth the small effort to check each avenue out. I hope you are able to make the best decision and I pray that you will. Let us know how it goes.
Johnnyj
Posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 16:26:56
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement » kmwhitt, posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 15:03:48
Hi Phillipa:
My insurance does cover any lab tests... How often does your pdoc have you tested if you are still using Serzone? Do you think once a month is excessive?
Thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 20:06:18
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement To Phillipa, posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 16:26:56
If after a month it was fine I'd stretch it to two months and take it from there. As my pdoc said today he's never had a patient with a problem on it. Love Phillipa
Posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 20:32:43
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement To Phillipa » kmwhitt, posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 20:06:18
Thanks, Phillipa! I made an error earlier. I meant to say that my insurance company does NOT cover lab tests.
I have another question. When I go for testing there are many tests run including urine. Is the liver enzyme panel the blood test itself? Perhaps he is being too precautious. I guess everyone is afraid of being sued these days.
I would still be interested in hearing from people that have discontinued Serzone and what they found as a suitable replacement...
Thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2007, at 21:39:02
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement To Phillipa, posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 20:32:43
You can request a liver panel. A lot of results from that. Love Phillipa I have no idea what they cost could you call a local Lab?
Posted by psychobot5000 on March 9, 2007, at 10:35:09
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement To Phillipa, posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 20:32:43
Besides trazadone, Remeron/mirtazapine is somewhat similar pharmacalogically to serzone, in that it effects 5-ht2a and 5ht2c receptors. I've not used serzone myself, so I can't compare them, but it seems a logical choice for a replacement, to me.
That said, if you've already been stable on serzone for some time, it seems a little strange to me to go off it because of these hypethetical liver risks. I'm pretty sure they can do a full liver panel with just a vial of blood. Most (not all) of the liver problems with serzone happen in the first six months, anyway.
P-bot
Posted by kmwhitt on March 9, 2007, at 11:12:50
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by psychobot5000 on March 9, 2007, at 10:35:09
Thanks to everyone for their responses.
I saw my pdoc on Wednesday and he had me sign a disclaimer holding him harmless if anything were to happen. Which is fine. We also found a urine test that measures AST levels, a strong indicator of problems and I agreed to have a full blood panel every six months. I am very pleased as I wasn't sure what I would do if I had to switch at this time.
Thanks again!
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 18:33:56
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by psychobot5000 on March 9, 2007, at 10:35:09
Does serzone cause the same weight gain as remeron? Love Phillipa
Posted by kmwhitt on March 9, 2007, at 21:07:14
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 18:33:56
Hi Phillipa:
I have actually lost about 12 pounds in the last 3 weeks, because I have much more control over what I eat when taking Serzone. The will power I am able to muster is unbelievable and I don't feel deprived of anything.
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 21:17:27
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by kmwhitt on March 9, 2007, at 21:07:14
You've got to be kidding how can anyone lose weight on an antidepressant? I don't understand. Love Phillipa
Posted by kmwhitt on March 9, 2007, at 21:26:11
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement » kmwhitt, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 21:17:27
It allows me the will power to abstain from sugar and any wheat products. I have been able to maintain a low-carb diet, because I'm not looking for the quick high I used to get from eating sugar. For me, it definitely works. In fact, weight gain is not even a side effect of this medication. Check out this link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/nefazodone.html
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 22:06:54
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by kmwhitt on March 9, 2007, at 21:07:14
I don't eat a lot so will it still make a difference? Love Phillipa
Posted by kmwhitt on March 9, 2007, at 23:01:57
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement » kmwhitt, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 22:06:54
I'm not sure. My weight gain problem was because I ate so many carbs (the bad ones, i.e. cakes, pies, etc.) so that I would feel better. With this AD I don't feel I need that fix I used to get from eating sweets. I don't think there is anything in the make-up of Serzone that actually makes you lose weight. It just gives me the ability to not desire the things that cause weight gain.
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 23:04:57
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement, posted by kmwhitt on March 9, 2007, at 23:01:57
How long were you tired on it and do you think it helps severe anxiety? Love Phillipa ps I eat chocolate at night.
Posted by bulldog2 on March 10, 2007, at 18:37:16
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement » kmwhitt, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 23:04:57
dark chocolate is the best not the milk chocolate
Posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2007, at 21:52:03
In reply to Re: Serzone Replacement » kmwhitt, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 23:04:57
Hi Sweetie dark lindt truffles. Love Phillipa
Posted by littlebitpa on March 12, 2007, at 1:58:10
In reply to Serzone Replacement, posted by kmwhitt on March 6, 2007, at 12:22:41
I'm glad serzone is working for you and you get to stay on it. I am going on it tomorrow because have been on everything else. I just stopped taking ensam 2 weeks ago because no help with irritability and insomnia. all I take now is 200 provigil and it seems to work the best, but still have issues with insomnia and afternoon irritability and antisocial feelings. Are you taking anything with the serzone? Thanks for your help, littlebit
This is the end of the thread.
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